Given a set of points, build a quad mesh such that each point is in the center of a quad
Use Dupli verts

1st mesh with center vertices, under Properties &gt; Object &gt; Duplication switch Verts:


2nd mesh a simple quad (add plane) and parent it under 1st mesh:


if you want to convert it to editable mesh, do it with Shift+Ctrl+A


Edit: To rotate them like in your picture, connect your points with edges so they form concentric ellipses. Extrude them so you have some polygons - this will give those verts proper normals:

Check the rotation in that Duplication tab and convert to geometry, delete the original plane, concentric ellipses and delete the bottom dupli-objects:

The spacing is determined by the position of your input vertices so this should end up in what you want..